Subject: Daily News Clips 3/20/14
From: "Sam Losow" <[email-masked]>
To: "undisclosed-recipients:"
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 10:50:44 -0400

*National News:*

*Ukraine moves to pull soldiers out of Crimea*
Ukraine announced plans to pull its troops out of
Crimea<http://www.theweek.com/article/index/258398/speedreads-ukraine-is-pulling-its-troops-from-crimea-bowing-to-russian-reality>
after
militiamen and Russian forces stormed two military bases there on
Wednesday, a day after Russia annexed the breakaway Ukrainian region.
Ukrainian Adm. Serhiy Haiduk was seized during the operation, but was
reportedly released along with other detainees Thursday morning.
[*Mirror*<http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/crimea-crisis-ukraine-troops-pull-3262455>
, CNN<http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/19/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/index.html?hpt=hp_t2>
]
..........................................................................................

*Australia announces possible clue to missing Malaysia Airlines flight *
Australia's prime minister, Tony Abbott, said that a satellite had spotted
two objects in the southern Indian Ocean that might be debris from Malaysia
Airlines Flight
370<http://www.theweek.com/article/index/258401/speedreads-this-is-the-possible-malaysia-flight-370-wreckage-that-australia-is-chasing-down>,
which vanished March 8 en route from Kuala Lampur to Beijing with 239
people on board. One of the objects was 79 feet across, Australian
authorities said Thursday, leading one aviation expert to express
skepticism, saying that would be a "big piece of aircraft to have survived
something like this." [*The
Australian*<http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/objects-may-be-from-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-tony-abbott/story-e6frg95x-1226860205396>
, CNN<http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/20/world/asia/malaysia-airlines-plane/index.html?hpt=hp_t1>
]
..........................................................................................

*Fed talk of an interest rate hike spooks investors*
Stocks tumbled Wednesday after the Federal Reserve suggested it might let
interest rates rise sooner than expected. At her first meeting as Fed
chair, Janet Yellen said the central bank's stimulus program could end by
fall. Experts said that could be followed by an interest-rate hike in 2015.
The Fed also made another $10 billion reduction in its monthly
economy-stimulating bond purchases (to $55 billion), but that was expected.
[CNBC <http://www.cnbc.com/id/101507068>]
..........................................................................................

*N.Y. Times: Pakistani intelligence knew where bin Laden was hiding*
Pakistan's spy agency knew Osama bin Laden was hiding in that
country<http://www.theweek.com/article/index/258395/speedreads-new-york-times-pakistan-probably-knew-osama-bin-laden-was-hiding-in-abbottabad>,
according to an excerpt from a new book by *New York Times* reporter
Carlotta Gall. The claim, made by a Pakistani official, was backed up by
letters exchanged between bin Laden and militants allied with the
intelligence agency. The correspondence was found in his hideout in
Abbottabad after the 2011 U.S. raid that killed him. [*The New York Times
Magazine*<http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/23/magazine/what-pakistan-knew-about-bin-laden.html?_r=0>
]
..........................................................................................

*Opponents call for Port Authority chairman to resign*
Protesters and lawmakers incensed over the Bridgegate scandal and another
controversy Wednesday demanded the resignation of the chairman of the Port
Authority of New York and New Jersey, David Samson, an ally of New Jersey
Gov. Chris Christie. At a monthly Port Authority board meeting, critics
said the politically motivated bridge-lane closings, which created massive
traffic jams, tainted Samson's leadership record.
[*Reuters*<http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/20/us-usa-politics-newjersey-idUSBREA2I2BG20140320>
]

..........................................................................................

   -

Obama rules out military
excursion<http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/barack-obama-ukraine-crimea-russia-104828.html?hp=l3>

Military engagement with Russia over Ukraine "would not be appropriate,"
the president says.

..........................................................................................

DSCC outraises NRSC by
$1.3M<http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/dscc-february-fundraising-104837.html?hp=r2>

The committee has now raised $86 million for the current cycle.

..........................................................................................

Obama Turns to Web to Illustrate the Effects of a Changing
Climate<http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/20/us/politics/white-house-to-introduce-climate-data-website.html?ref=science>The
White House on Wednesday inaugurated a website aimed at turning scientific
data about projected droughts and wildfires and the rise in sea levels into
eye-catching digital presentations.

*2016 Presidential News:*

How Rand Paul Can Win the GOP
Nomination<http://politicalwire.com/archives/2014/03/20/how_rand_paul_can_win_the_gop_nomination.html>The
Week<http://theweek.com/article/index/258078/how-rand-paul-can-win-the-2016-presidential-nomination>
plots
his path to victory in the GOP primaries.
Jill Lawrence<http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2014/3/rand-paul-election2016goppresidentmainstreamdreams.html>
isn't
so sure: "So far it is all gain and no pain for the Kentucky Republican as
he heads into a near-certain 2016 presidential campaign.... Yet as
attention shifts to his views on domestic policy, he will have to make some
tough decisions: move away from positions that would alienate moderates,
independents and traditional Republicans, or stay true to his principles
and end up like his father, Ron Paul -- a niche candidate who energized
many but never won the White House, the GOP nomination or even a single
2012 primary."

*DE News:*

*Newark panel upholds data center ruling*
NEWARK - Before a crowd of 700, a deadlocked Newark board on Wednesday
effectively upheld the city's decision to permit a gas-fired power plant at
the former Chrysler site as part of a large data center.

Following a three-hour hearing, the Board of Adjustment deliberated for
more than 70 minutes on several issues related to the city staff's Jan. 17
zoning decision permitting the power plant.

Members voted 3-1 to find that on-site generation would not impair the
neighborhood, but they split 2-2 on whether on-site generation is customary
in the data-center industry, and on whether the plant would be subordinate
to the primary use of the property. The board's fifth member had recused
himself due to a conflict of interest.

The result renders the challenge to the city's Jan. 17 zoning decision
unsuccessful, meaning the city's decision stands, according to John W.
Paradee, board counsel.

"We've talked before about continuing this fight no matter what," said Jen
Wallace, a member of the group who had appealed to the board. "We're
meeting this weekend to determine our next step."

Oral arguments by lawyers for the city, The Data Centers LLC and the
appellants dominated the hearing.

"You can only overturn the decision here if it's clearly erroneous," TDC
attorney Richard Forsten told the board. "That's a high standard."

The Data Centers LLC of West Chester wants to build a 900,000-square-foot
facility at the University of Delaware Science Technology & Advanced
Research Campus. The project includes a cogeneration plant to generate
power and repurpose waste heat for cooling and other uses.

The zoning decision was appealed by resident Sherry V. Hoffman, a retired
deputy attorney general for the state; the grassroots group Newark
Residents Against the Power Plant; the Delaware Audubon Society; and five
named residents.

They say a facility with a capacity of 279 megawatts does not meet the
definition of "accessory use" under city code, in part because power plants
operating independent of the electric grid are not "customary" in the
data-center industry, and because the plant would not be "subordinate" or
"incidental" to the data center.

"They say, this is something that hasn't been done before," said Kenneth
Kristl, representing the residents' group and others. "It's so new and
novel, we should get a patent for it."

TDC says on-site generation is common as part of large, modern data centers
to provide an uninterrupted flow of electricity to ensure the servers and
other computer equipment can never go down.

Both sides identified other data centers with on-site power generation.
They disagreed on whether it's common for data centers to forgo a utility
connection for primary or backup power.

"Even if the use is associated with only a small percentage of principal
uses, it may nevertheless be customary," said Max Walton, representing
Newark.

Hoffman and Kristl argued that TDC's project would decrease the value of
nearby homes and cause health problems. Accessory uses may not "impair the
neighborhood."

TDC will abide by all noise regulations, Fortsen said. Also, emissions from
on-site cogeneration are better for Delaware's air quality than if TDC were
to rely on power from the regional grid, he claimed.

Walton denied any basis for reversal based on air-quality concerns, which
are regulated by the state Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Control. Also, "neighborhood" is understood to mean the
zoning district - not surrounding communities, Walton said.

"That's crazy. The notion of neighborhood is about the area around, the
vicinity," Kristl said. Why else, he said, would the board require notice
to registered owners of the five closest property owners to sites at issue
in an appeal?

Board members agreed that Newark's planning director did have the authority
to issue conditions on the proposed use.

The ruling isn't final until a formal, written decision is submitted to the
city, board attorney John W. Paradee said. The Delaware Superior Court
would hear appeals from the board.

..........................................................................................

*Red Clay board votes against inclusion plan*
WILMINGTON - Cheers filled the packed auditorium at Brandywine Springs
Elementary School on Wednesday night when the Red Clay School Board
rejected a plan to move special-needs students out of their specialized
schools into district feeder schools.

"My hope is that we continue to move at all deliberate speed to achieve
this. But I do think there are very legitimate concerns being expressed,"
said board member Kenneth Rivera. "I hope that we view this not as a pause
or a defeat, but a commitment to continue to build on what I think has been
some great success."

The decision comes after months of outcry from parents who worried that the
plan did not fully ensure their special-needs students would get the
services they need. Several board members mentioned the intensity of the
debate.

"I think this whole process has been exceedingly difficult," said board
member Catherine Thompson. "I don't like to see Red Clay face this much
controversy."

The board voted on the inclusion plan in several different segments, but
none were approved. Most did not come to a vote because Thompson's motions
for a vote could not find a second.

Two motions, to transition English-learning students in middle and
elementary to their feeders, did see votes. Thompson voted for both, and
Rivera voted to "include" middle-school students only.

Board members urged the district and parents to work together to craft an
inclusion plan more satisfactory to parents.

The meeting drew more than an hour's worth of comments from the public,
many from parents who opposed the plan.

"My son gets too overwhelmed, and he tends to get sensory overload, and
when he does, he tends to lash out," said Brooke James. "Right now, he
needs a smaller classroom. Right now, he's not ready for inclusion, and
tonight, I hope you vote no."

Many parents said they like the concept of inclusion but were not convinced
the district was prepared to make sure every student gets the
accommodations he or she needs.

"I support inclusion and all of its principles," said Cory Nourie,
president of the Highlands Elementary Parent Teacher Organization. "What I
don't support is a plan that doesn't have solid, concrete details, that
just hopes it all works out."

Many teachers also were concerned about the plan, fearing they were not
going to receive enough training or resources to handle the special needs
of the transferring students.

Mike Matthews, president of the Red Clay Education Association, told the
board that the union polled some 1,200 of its members and found that almost
80 percent said they did not support the current plan. However, Matthews
said some 60 percent would approve moving toward inclusion more slowly to
create more solid plans.

Though outnumbered, there were several speakers who supported the plan,
arguing inclusion is common practice elsewhere and will help students grow
socially and academically.

"The word 'inclusive' describes the importance of allowing all children the
opportunity to be a part of the school community and to become embraced by
all," said Equetta Jones, a Warner Elementary teacher. "Most students tend
to learn better in inclusive settings when provided appropriate instruction
and support."

Hazel Cole, president of the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware and a
Red Clay special-needs mother, pushed to pass the proposal so that students
could access more rigorous classwork, saying segregated students generally
do not learn as well.

"Our students do not have time to get behind. With their special needs,
they are already behind," Cole said. "We don't have time to wait."

Deputy Superintendent Hugh Broomall told the board that district
administrators would start working on a plan to possibly work out a new
plan for future years, but it was unlikely inclusion would happen for next
school year.

..........................................................................................

*State officials warn Delawareans to beware of Obamacare scams*
State officials warned Delawareans on Wednesday to beware of fraud schemes
with scam artists claiming to represent the federal health insurance
marketplace related to the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare.

A resident contacted the state after getting a call from someone claiming
to be from the health care system, trying to collect a premium payment, but
the scammer hung up when the recipient asked the caller to confirm the
address he had reached.

"These scams might become more frequent as the March 31 enrollment deadline
nears," Jill Fredel, communications director of the Department of Health
and Social Services, said in a statement.

She cautioned that premium payments should be made only to insurance
companies, with no one else involved in such transactions.

Official marketplace guides, who have had background checks, have state
identification cards to present before helping with enrollment, she said.

Anyone who suspects he or she has been targeted by a health care
marketplace scam should report the incident to the state Department of
Insurance's fraud division at (302) 674-7350 or (800) 632-5154, she said.

But not all phone calls related to the Health Insurance Marketplace are
bogus, Fredel said.

After applying for coverage, applicants may get calls from the marketplace
to verify information so customer service representatives can process their
applications, she said.

The department offered these tips to help prevent fraud:

* Never give bank, credit card, account numbers or other financial or
personal information to anyone who calls or goes to your home uninvited,
even those claiming to be from the marketplace.

* Hang up or ignore anyone who calls or emails saying you are required to
act during a "limited time" to buy a new plan or update information.

* Don't fall for it if callers falsely claim you need a new Obamacare or
Medicare card, as the Affordable Care Act doesn't require them.

* If a marketplace representative calls, write down the person's full name
and agent identification number.

* More than three calls from a marketplace representative may reveal a
scam; real representatives may leave answering machine messages with no
call-back number, but after three tries, you will be mailed a letter with
instructions.

-- 
Sam Losow
*Finance Assistant*
Beau Biden, DE Attorney General
Office: (302) 295-8340
Cell: (202) 821-3399
[email-masked]